Updated at 10:30 a.m. March 24:
Please reference the prior updates and Escambia County COVID-19 Update #11 for a prior comprehensive running list. View an updated list of county closures and cancellations here. This update only includes new information we have received. Weekend updates will be distributed only when there is new information.
Baptist Health Care
- Effective Tuesday, March 24, at 5 a.m., a No Visitation policy with limited entry doors will be activated at Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital. Visitor exceptions will be made for end of life and critical caregivers. Approved visitors will be actively screened prior to entrance with CDC screening questions and temperature checks. We recognize and value the vital role friends and family play in restoring the health of their loved ones, but we believe these measures are necessary for the well being of our patients, team members and the community we serve.
- At Baptist Health Care, our top priority continues to be the safety of our patients, visitors and team members. Following Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Health & Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, elective surgeries and procedures at Baptist Health Care facilities have been postponed. This includes Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center, Baptist Medical Park - Nine Mile Ambulatory Surgery Center, Baptist Hospital, Gulf Breeze Hospital and Jay Hospital. We are working with all patients to reschedule their care to a future date and ensuring their current needs are being met. Exceptions will be made for time-sensitive and urgent needs on a patient-by-patient basis. This action allows us to redeploy resources including supplies, equipment and staff to meet the current and future needs of our community.
- All screening appointments for imaging, including mammograms, DEXA scans, lung CTs and screening endoscopy, are being rescheduled for late April. Medically urgent imaging appointments will remain unchanged as scheduled
BRACE
- Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies (BRACE) is Escambia County’s lead organization for disaster volunteers and donations. BRACE urges residents who are willing to volunteer for COVID-19 emergency, and future disasters, to register to assist with the response by navigating through the BRACE website, www.bereadyalliance.org. On the home page of the website, residents can click on the Volunteer Connect button.
- Organizations can register on Volunteer Connect to post volunteer needs in response to COVID- 19 through https://volunteer.volunteerflorida.org/new-organization-registration.
City of Pensacola
In order to minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for City of Pensacola employees, many city services have transitioned to online or phone only until further notice. Some city services may be limited, and the public's patience is appreciated during this time. Here is the latest information about city services and facilities.
Council on Aging of West Florida
Council on Aging of West Florida’s adult day care, The Retreat, will be temporarily closed starting March 25, due to concerns about the coronavirus. Retreat clients may qualify for at-home respite care during this time, and their caregivers are encouraged to work with their case manager to determine that possibility. Council on Aging’s other services—Meals on Wheels, homemaker, companionship, respite, to-go meals, etc.—remain in operation at this time. Council on Aging management will reassess the impact of the virus in one month to determine if reopening The Retreat at that time is appropriate.
Escambia County
Escambia County has enhanced its COVID-19 web pages to streamline important communication to the public. The home page of www.myescambia.com includes a banner on top for users to find COVID-19 specific information gathered in one place . Additionally, users can click on the BeReady graphic to the Emergency Management page. The page includes the following resources and links:
Escambia County Building Services
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Building Inspections has not suspended operations. Permits are still being issued and inspections are still being performed during this time.
- Although the office is closed to the public, there are various other methods of submitting applications and plans to the Department including but not limited to the online portal, email and fax. You can also make an appointment by calling 850-595-3550 and asking for the appropriate personnel.
- Inspections are being performed in the normal fashion with the exception of inhabited residences. Those inspections will need to be performed utilizing Facetime or Skype. In the event that this procedure is unable to be completed, the Department will also accept an Inspection Affidavit signed and sealed by an architect or engineer.
- Please keep in mind that the Board of County Commissioners suspended all expiration dates for permitting, therefore, these types of inspections could also be performed at a later date.
Escambia County Fire Rescue, Office of Fire Prevention
ECFR closed facilities to public in-person access to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 effective Monday, March 23. Alternative ways to conduct business with the Office of Fire Prevention are notated as follows:
- All walk-in permitting has been suspended effective Monday, March 23, until further notice. Business will still be conducted with the aide of online customer accounts through mygovernmentonline.org. For all permit-related questions, please contact the Office of Fire Prevention at 850-595-1810.
- Applications and plan review: Three sets of stamped sealed/shop drawings paper copies and cut-sheets/calculation documents are required to be submitted. Make an appointment to drop off plans at the Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place. Please attach an application and completed checklist for permit type associated, and ensure that contact information is clearly displayed. At the scheduled appointment, staff will meet you to receive the plans. To schedule and appointment for plans drop off please call 850- 595-1810 or email fireinspections@myescambia.com.
- Upon receipt of plan submission, and invoice will be emailed for payment. All permits are to be paid by credit card through the customer portal or by phone.
- Customer picking up paper plans must schedule and appointment by calling 850-595-1810 or emailing fireinspections@myescambia.com, and staff will meet with you to provide the approved copy.
- Inspection requests for permits will need to be scheduled either online through the customer portal, telephone using the IVR system by dialing 1-866-957-3764 and choosing option 5, or email to fireinspections@myescambia.com.
Escambia County Tax Collector's Office
During this trying time, the employees of the Escambia County Tax Collector’s office are working hard to serve citizens in new ways and with new tools.
While our lobbies and call center are closed, our payment center is available at all times at EscambiaTaxCollector.com. View the following transactions are available online.
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
- As of 9 a.m., March 24 Escambia County has 9 positive COVID-19 cases. This number is expected to change daily due to the return of results from ongoing testing. For the most up-to-date information regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, visit the COVID-19 dashboard. The site is currently updated twice daily.
- FDOH-Escambia is limiting public access to the Fairfield facility as a method of protecting the health of their clients and staff. Services will continue to be available for persons with appointments (or receiving the service). A parent or guardian may accompany a minor child if the child is receiving the service.
Pensacola State College
- PSC is transitioning face-to-face classes, including most labs and clinicals, to an online format when classes resume on Monday, March 30. Students in clock hour programs will receive instructions for their specific program from their instructors.
- All Pensacola State College classes, including online classes, are suspended through Sunday, March 29.
- Pensacola State College campuses, centers, and buildings are closed to PSC students through Sunday, March 29.
- PSC campuses and buildings are closed to the general public through May 6, which includes the pool, theater, art gallery, planetarium, testing center, gymnasium, dental clinic, library, and fitness centers.
- All PSC events have been cancelled through May 6, including the Lumberjack Festival, Art Exhibitions, and Lyceum Performances.
Santa Rosa Island Authority
United Way of West Florida
- In response to the Coronavirus pandemic facing our community and nation, United Way of West Florida has launched its relief fund to support those affected in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
- As schools, businesses, and public establishments close, United Way of West Florida understands that people’s ways of life are being significantly affected. Hours are being cut, services are being eliminated, and wages are being lost.
- United Way of West Florida’s COVID-19 Response Fund will support families within our service area that have been economically impacted by the pandemic and will provide support to nonprofit agencies that are providing critical services to those in need.
- To donate to this fund, text 850Respond to 41444 or visit www.uwwf.org/covid19fund. Gifts of all sizes will improve our community’s ability to respond during this unprecedented time.
- Individuals in need of immediate assistance accessing food, paying housing or utility bills, or other essential services are urged to dial 211 from their phones or visit uwwf.org/211nwfl 211 Northwest Florida provides information and referral services to the following counties: Escambia, Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Santa Rosa, and Washington.
- 211 Northwest Florida also provides support services for veterans in need of assistance through the Florida Veteran’s Support Line. By dialing 1-844-MYFLVET (693-5838), or 211 and disclosing that the caller is a veteran, they may speak directly with a fellow veteran trained to provide emotional support and links to community resources.
- For more information and updates regarding COVID-19, please visit www.UWWF.org/COVID19, follow United Way of West Florida on Facebook (@UWWFL), as well as 211 Northwest Florida (@211nwfl).
University of West Florida
- Therapy Assistance Online is a web-based program that offers engaging, interactive modules to teach life skills and help you bounce back from disappointments or stumbling blocks in life. TAO is confidential, free and available to all UWF students, faculty and staff. The UWF community is encouraged to utilize TAO to strengthen skills to cope with anxiety, depression, stress management and more. TAO is available 24/7 and can be accessed anonymously.
- Counseling and Psychological Services remains committed to supporting student well-being and resilience. CAPS acknowledges the impact on UWF students related to COVID-19 and recognizes it is typical to experience anxiety, worry or fear. During this time, CAPS is implementing the following temporary service changes. These changes are in effect until further notice.
- Current clients
- If you need to speak with a counselor urgently or need other resources, please call 850.474.2420.
- All CAPS groups, including Meditation Meetup, are suspended during this time. Group participants with questions may contact their group facilitator by phone.
- All students
- All students have access to a counselor 24/7 by contacting CAPS at 850.474.2420 and following the prompts.
- If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Recreation:
- Physical activity has a positive impact on mental health. We encourage the entire UWF (virtual) campus community to find ways to remain physically active during this time. Recreation Services is here to help. The following items are currently offered:
- Aetna Resources for Living: UWF has contracted with Aetna Resources for Living to provide an Employee Assistance Program for employees and their family members. The Employee Assistance Program helps employees resolve personal and work problems through professional assistance. Employees may contact Aetna directly by calling their toll-free number 800.272.7252. All services and calls are strictly confidential between the employee and Aetna. The username and password for University employees and family members is UWF (must be in all capital letters).
- Employee Assistance Program has put together national resources, including articles, videos and infographics, to help you cope during this challenging time.
Visit Pensacola
Support our vibrant dining scene AND its dedicated employees. Find Pensacola Bay Area establishments offering various take out options a https://www.visitpensacola.com/pensacola-to-go/. Give them your business to help them save theirs. Let’s help out with take out, Pensacola.
